521st Air Mobility Operations Wing hosts PDS

by Maj. Fred Jackson
521st Air Mobility Operations Wing
Maj. Gen. Timothy Zadalis, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa vice commander, speaks to members of the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing during a professional development seminar May 19 on Ramstein. — Courtesy photo

More than 60 officers, senior non-commissioned officers, and civilian partners from the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing gathered on Ramstein for a professional development seminar provided by Maj. Gen. Timothy Zadalis, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa vice commander.

Zadalis spoke about resiliency, mentorship, knowing Airmen, and the power of asking one question.

“You need to get out in your work center, where the Airmen are, and get to know them,” said Zadalis. “You need to take the time to get involved in what they are doing, get out and work with them and learn their job.”

“I have known Maj. Gen. Zadalis for many years. He is a great man and leader who really cares about Airmen. With more than 30 years in the Air Force as an advocate for what the mobility air forces offers to help achieve combatant commanders’ priorities, it was an absolute privilege to hear him share his perspective,” said Col. Brad Spears, 521 AMOW vice commander.

“I really appreciated his message on getting to know your Airmen in their environment,” said Master Sgt. Ian Morris, a 521 AMOW Airman who attended the ceremony. “Getting into the work centers and working side by side with Airmen in what he referred to as ‘level 1 training’ is a great example for other leaders to emulate.”

Zadalis was invited by the 521 AMOW to provide their Airmen with a mentoring and development opportunity from his perspective as a mobility Airman of 33 years, and he gladly accepted.

The 521 AMOW has history with Zadalis, as he was the presiding officer for the activation of command in 2008 as the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force commander.

The event wrapped up with a social hour where Zadalis spoke one on one with 521 AMOW Airmen.